Why is the Mystery So Important?

Living the mystery is a way of life.  The doctrinal basis of the mystery lies in the Pauline epistles, but what does it mean or look like when people get together or live life together according to the New Testament. Paul wrote in Ephesians 3 about his stewardship of what God had him write about and what he was to help people see:

 Ephesans 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ (the oldest manuscripts omit this last phrase 'by Jesus Christ'): 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.  

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; ¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Paul was not mentioned in the book of Acts in the beginning. There was a big transition in thinking after the day of Pentecost and was carried on throughout the book of Acts. The transition took place over time and developed. Paul explained it's significance to our lives in his epistles. Jesus Christ is the central example. By his faith we have access to God and knowledge of what true love is all about. That is what is the basis of our relationship with others.

EW Bullinger in his Companion Bible translated verse 18:

¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of love is; (God's love in Christ)

The Christian walk is a strengthened walk.  God fully intended that each of us would be empowered. God is no respector of persons. In the first century, the church was made up of people from all walks of life. Opportunity excluded no one. The wall of elitism was torn down with the veil of the holy of holies.  There is only one mediator between God and man and that was Jesus Christ, a man of faith and love.

Each of us is important to the body of Christ. I need other people to rejoice with and share the Word with. The key is to recognize our own personal responsibility in believing God's Word and then having respect for the spirit of God in each other. The true God wants his kids to thrive, anything short of that is not God's will. Christians cannot be passive to their spiritual responsibility to seek God and recognize the God-appointed Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ's example is huge. I love to look at what he did in the four gospels, his beautiful leadership style, his heart for God, his love for truth. Truth is love because it sets us free. That is big time gigantic love when we share it with each other!

Recipe For Fruitfulness

I Peter 1:3-8 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add (Link - epichoregeo- furnish a chorus) to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Recipe for Fruitfulness

Ingredients to add:
Start with faith - believing

• Virtue - quality, spiritual excellence
• Knowledge - clear and precise understanding
• Temperance - self-control
• Patience - enduring, remaining after others have gone
• Godliness - a true vital relationship with God (link - eusebeia)
• Brotherly kindness - brotherly love, love of the brethren
• Charity - the love of God

Stir with diligence (haste in earnestness)

The Presence of God

The biggest thing to remember when reading God's word is that God wants us to know him!

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

This is an important point to understand about the designer of the universe! Job found it out when God showed him His omnipotence as recorded in the later chapters of the book of Job.  Job responds by saying "I am vile." in Job 40:4. The word 'vile' is the Hebrew word 'qalal' which meant light, not weighty rather than immoral (Old Testament Word Studies) God explained to Job what He was all about.  Job expressed his own lightness, insignificance with respect to the power of God.

God and love are synonymous. If we approach him with an expecting peaceful heart we get answers. Even when we are unpeaceful, he comes through as a loving Father as we depend on Him. Condemnation should never prevent us from laying out our hearts before God.  Job's heart was set at rest by God's presence as ours is when we fully acknowledge Him in our lives.

Freedom From Sinister Design

A little suitcase like a brick, 

It kinda makes it hard to get a good grip

Miranda Lambert - 'Baggage Claim'

Giving from motivation energized by God is so ..... I just can't find the words to describe it!

II Corinthians 9:8-11 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work; (As it is written (Psalm 112:9), He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor (Gr. penes- working for a living): his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth [epichoregeo link] seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase" the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Bottom line? Thanksgiving to God!

Man tends to carry a lot of baggage around with him. He just can't put it down. Natural man is full of drama and complications left to his own imagination. It saps and drags on him. Then when around others who are willing participants, he gives, trades and unloads with them. The sinister creeps in.

Up above where it says 'being enriched in everything to all bountifulness', bountifulness (haplotes link) refers to freedom from sinister baggage. If people are willing to throw away the baggage claim, and then where two or three are gathered, things turn out spectacular! True and righteous living comes from God. It is choreographed by God and there is complete freedom.

* haplotes - see Numbers in Scripture on above tab 'Bible Tips' pretty gorgeous!